Abstract: Techniques for delivering data or information to a vehicle include a ground based data distribution system that has a ground based determination engine and port networks, and is communicatively connected to access networks. The ground based determination engine determines a content of the data to be delivered to the vehicle, and/or determines one or more predicted locations of the vehicle. The ground based system causes the data to be delivered to the one or more predicted locations, and, at a particular predicted location, the delivered data is transferred to the vehicle, such as by using an information distribution device that is on-board the vehicle. Determination of the data content and of the one or more predicted locations may be performed while the vehicle is en route or is at a port. Data delivery may occur while the vehicle is en route or is at a port.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering data or information onto a vehicle and for delivering data off of a vehicle include a data distribution system having multiple interfaces that are fixedly connected to the vehicle, and that provide access to multiple types of data bearers connected to external networks. A bearer selector engine may select a particular data bearer for delivery of data based on a set of selection criteria, which may be indicated in a set of selection rules on-board the vehicle. The selection criteria may be based on bearer characteristics, data characteristics, vehicle operating state and/or other current conditions, priority, a feature or service, and/or user preference. Using one or more on-board networks, data may be generated by an on-board originating device and routed for external delivery, or external data may be delivered to an on-board destination device. Data delivery may occur while the vehicle is en route.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for operating a transmission system having connected nodes. Channels are assigned for carrying traffic along the connections according to a multiple protection classes. Traffic may then be propagated over the connections in accordance with the assigned protection classes.

Abstract: An optical ring is provided for propagating optical signal pairs over wavelength connections between nodes. Each optical signal pair includes two signals at different wavelengths. At one or more of the nodes, one signal of the pair acts as a transmit signal and the other acts as a receive signal. If a failure is detected the optical signal pair is redirected over a protection path without changing the wavelengths of the transmit and receive signals. This may be achieved by reversing a propagation direction for each of the signals comprised by the redirected optical signal pair.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for operating a transmission system having connected nodes. Channels are assigned for carrying traffic along the connections according to a multiple protection classes. Traffic may then be propagated over the connections in accordance with the assigned protection classes.

Abstract: An optical ring is provided for propagating optical signal pairs over wavelength connections between nodes. Each optical signal pair includes two signals at different wavelengths. At one or more of the nodes, one signal of the pair acts as a transmit signal and the other acts as a receive signal. If a failure is detected the optical signal pair is redirected over a protection path without changing the wavelengths of the transmit and receive signals. This may be achieved by reversing a propagation direction for each of the signals comprised by the redirected optical signal pair.